Smith Alumnae Book Club

The Book Club provides a friendly, open and inquiring setting for discussing various works of literature (both classic and contemporary). Meetings take place at 7:30 pm, generally on the third Wednesday of each month, at the homes of members. Any Smith alum is welcome, and you don’t have to “join”—just attend as often or as rarely as the meetings fit your interests and schedule. If you are interested in attending our meetings, please contact the Book Club Coordinator, Sally Smith, via email at thepeninsulasmithclub@gmail.com and she will add you to the email list.

Each month Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park carries our book selections in the Peninsula Smith Club section of their book club shelf. At the cash register, tell the clerk this is a Peninsula Smith Club purchase and you will receive a 15% discount.

Our May meeting was held on Wednesday, May 16, at the home of Jean Davidson '73. We discussed “A Wrinkle in Time” (and, to some extent, those that follow in the quintet) by Madeleine L’ Engle '41. Many thanks to Jean for her hospitality.

This coming-of-age book is nominally for children but everyone enjoyed its beautiful language, well-wrought tension, and female protagonist. We liked its courageous father and scientist mother (unusual for the time) and fusion of spirituality and science. Compared to current quest books like the Harry Potter series, it is slower and the fantasy worlds not as fully developed (although one had definite echoes of “1984”), but the portrayal of a girl’s discovery of her own bravery and her resolve to accept heavy responsibility are very moving.

Our June book is “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance.

Laurie Daniels '81 has volunteered once again to host our Movie Night, which will be held on Wednesday, August 15, at 5:30 pm at her home in San Mateo. The movie will be “The Lion in Winter” and thus the potluck theme will be medieval food.